College Football

Eddie Vanderdoes cleared to play this fall at UCLA

The five-star talent won his appeal and will not lose a year of eligibility.

By Peter Berkes Jul 31, 2013, 11:03am EDT

After a summer of uncertainty, five-star defensive tackle and incoming UCLA freshman Eddie Vanderdoes will be able to play in 2013 for the Bruins, according to Bruin Report Online.

More: For more on UCLA, check out Bruins Nation

Vanderdoes originally signed a letter of intent to play for Notre Dame, but changed his mind later. Notre Dame refused to release him from his LOI when he announced he was leaving, which normally would mean that Vanderdoes would lose both 2013 for transferring, as well as a year of his eligibility. Instead of four years to play three seasons at UCLA, he will have five years to play four like everyone else.

Vanderdoes will have an opportunity to make an impact right away in UCLA's front seven. Senior defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa was lost for the season earlier in the summer, and there should be plenty of room for playing time in the defensive line rotation.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly issued a response on Wednesday:

#NotreDame coach Brian Kelly's statement on the Eddie Vanderdoes ruling: "While I disagree with yesterday's decision by the ...
— Eric Hansen (@hansenNDInsider) July 31, 2013

... NCAA National Letter of Intent Appeals Committee to reverse its original ruling and grant Eddie Vanderdoes a complete release ...
— Eric Hansen (@hansenNDInsider) July 31, 2013

... from his NLI, I understand and respect the entire appeal process. However, this result does not change my opinion concerning ...
— Eric Hansen (@hansenNDInsider) July 31, 2013

... the importance of protecting the integrity of the NLI program, nor will it change our approach to the process going forward."
— Eric Hansen (@hansenNDInsider) July 31, 2013